According to Fitzpatrick, Congress’ focus should be on measures which have the widest positive effect that have the support of both Republicans and Democrats.

“My sense is those include background checks and mental health records reporting with the goal of keeping dangerous weapons out of the hands of dangerous people,” he said in a prepared statement.

“I think this is an important discussion for us to have and it is essential that we are deliberate, thoughtful and focused on real results.”

Schwartz expressed her strong support for the measures.

“Now is the time for us to take action to end the senseless loss of life that occurs almost daily across our country due to gun violence,” she said in a prepared statement.

Schwartz described the president’s proposals, recommended by the vice president’s panel on gun violence, as common-sense measures to “reduce gun violence” and ensure the safety of our communities.

During a phone interview Wednesday, she said the proposals would keep more weapons out of the hands of people who shouldn’t have them, such as dangerous felons or mentally-ill people while respecting law-abiding gun owners.

“We’ve got to do something,” Schwartz said. “We can’t just walk away from this. I would think a responsible gun owner would want everyone else to be responsible.”